Dozier Recognized for Environmental Work by ICGA

November 22, 2022
Two men are standing in front of a sign that says welcome il corn growers association

Ivan Dozier, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service’s State Conservationist for Illinois, was honored by the Illinois Corn Growers Association (ICGA) at their annual meeting on November 22 for his commitment to helping farmers implement conservation practices and achieve Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy goals. Dozier was the 2nd recipient of the Mike Plumer Environmental Excellence Award this year along side Richard Lyons.

 

Dozier has served in this role since April 2012. He oversees USDA NRCS programs like Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) in Illinois. 

“Illinois farmers are appreciative of Ivan Dozier’s work at NRCS,” said Marty Marr, ICGA President and farmer from New Berlin. “NRCS programs are important to our environmental conservation efforts on the farm, and we would be much less successful without the partnership of federal and state programs that eliminate some of the risk of implementation. Ivan has been a valuable partner, listening to what can work on the farm and helping farmers increase conservation adoption in Illinois.”

 

Dozier received a B.S. in Agriculture from the University of Illinois and an M.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Illinois – Springfield. He began his career with what was then the Soil Conservation Service, and later became the NRCS in 1984. Throughout his tenure, Dozier served as County Soil Scientist, Soil Conservationist, District Conservationist, American Indian Liaison and Assistant State Conservationist for Programs. Dozier has also been asked to serve in several positions to support agency needs in Washington, DC, as an Acting State Conservationist in other states, and as Chair of many strategy teams, taskforce groups, and other mission-critical leadership roles.

 

This is the 2nd year for the Mike Plumer award. Originally called the Environmental Action Award, it was changed in 2021 to honor Mike Plumer. Plumer served as an ex officio member of the IL Corn Growers Association Board from 1991 to 2010. Even after his retirement, he continued to work with the ICGA helping farmers understand and implement conservation practices until his death in 2017.
 

Mike served as a University of Illinois Extension Agent for 34 years, in Kankakee County and Williamson County. He was a pioneer in the no-till farming movement and cover crop management of farm acres. He was committed to preservation of the soil, but approached his work with farmers in a quiet, gentle way that understood their family business and way of life.

 

Pictured above: Marty Marr, ICGA past president and Ivan Dozier, NRCS State Conservationist

The sun is setting behind the capitol building in washington d.c.
By Lyndi Allen July 3, 2025
Illinois corn farmers will be impacted by many provisions in the Budget Reconciliation Bill that passed in both chambers this week.
By Tara Desmond July 3, 2025
Mid-Year Highlights: IL Corn Top 10 Read Stories
A map of the world with arrows pointing to trade countries
By Lyndi Allen July 3, 2025
Trade plays a critical role in driving demand for U.S. corn—not only as grain or feed, but also as fuel.
Top Videos of 2025
By Tara Desmond July 2, 2025
Harvesting the Best: A Look at IL Corn’s Top 10 Videos of 2025
By Lindsay Croke June 30, 2025
When we think of Independence Day traditions, sweet corn on the cob is as iconic as fireworks and often even more central to the celebration. According to Instacart, purchases of sweet corn surge by 380% over the annual average heading into July 4th, outranking other grilling staples like baby back ribs and burgers. But corn's role in your Fourth of July celebration goes far beyond your plate. In Illinois alone, 8,300 acres of sweet corn are harvested annually, averaging 155 cwt per acre. That’s more than 128 million pounds of locally grown sweetness fueling summer cookouts across the state. And while sweet corn makes a big impression on the grill, most of Illinois’ corn crop isn’t sweet corn - it’s field corn. Less than 1% of the state’s crop is sweet corn, while the rest is used in products that are often invisible to consumers but vital to everyday life: fuel, packaging, fireworks, and even spirits.
The sun is setting behind the capitol building in washington d.c.
By Lyndi Allen June 27, 2025
From Springfield to D.C., lawmakers are listening, and Illinois corn farmers are leading the conversations.
Show More